valedictorian

noun

val·​e·​dic·​to·​ri·​an ˌva-lə-ˌdik-ˈtȯr-ē-ən 

: the student usually having the highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the valedictory address at the commencement exercises

Examples of valedictorian in a Sentence

She was the valedictorian of her class in 1985.

Recent Examples on the Web

William Hovel, Poway High School’s 2025 valedictorian, balances his interests in engineering and robotics with tennis and karate. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025

Meet the valedictorians and salutatorians from Palm Beach County high schools. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025

Central's valedictorian will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, studying finance and computational biology through a dual-degree program. —Lena Miano, Arkansas Online, 19 May 2025

The ability to balance multiple interests helped O’Neal, 18, become the school’s valedictorian with a 4.55 GPA. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

valedictor(y) + -ian

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for valedictorian

• chorion
• corean
• dorian
• mauryan
• saurian
• gregorian
• historian
• nestorian
• praetorian
• stentorian
• pythagorean

Kids Definition

valedictorian

noun

vale·​dic·​to·​ri·​an

ˌval-ə-ˌdik-ˈtōr-ē-ən,

-ˈtȯr-

: the student usually of the highest rank in a graduating class who gives the farewell speech at graduation ceremonies